Watson: 'Claims damaging to game of cricket'

Australian cricketer Shane Watson is worried about the damage the current match-fixing trial is doing to cricket.

11 Oct 2011 19:27 GMT

Watson was blown away by allegations although said Australia cricket body is on-top of match-fixing [GALLO/GETTY]

Claims that Australian players were some of he biggest match-fixers in cricket were shocking, damaging and threatened the integrity of the game, allrounder Shane Watson said on Tuesday.

The Australia opener said the unproven allegations, made by the player agent at the center of the Pakistan spot-fixing case, were "unbelievably" disappointing.

Agent Mazhar Majeed's claims that Australians were involved in fixing parts of matches for betting scams were made in recordings played to a London court on Monday during the trial of former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowler Mohammed Asif.

They are accused of corruption relating to a Test match against England at Lord's in August 2011.

But Majeed did not name any Australian players and did not back up his assertions with any evidence.

"Very disappointing and pretty shocking really to see these allegations that have come out from this court case that is going on at the moment," Watson said from South Africa, where he is on tour with Australia's team.

"I know from my perspective how damaging they really are to the game of cricket, but also to the individuals.

"It's just very disappointing these things happen because it challenges the integrity of the game we all love so much."